Baofeng: Should You Buy A Baofeng UV-5R As Your First Radio? Is A Baofeng UV5R The Best First Radio?

[@nobodybetter9175]

These HTs are junk. Absolute junk. They are like disposable Bic lighters. They are a nightmare in most cases to program and are going to break down for you. They are Chinese junk. You get what you pay for. They are total junk. If you like backing Communist Red China. These are the radios for you.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

and yet millions of people use theirs every day and are very happy with the cost/use ratio. Millions of people also love the fact that this $18 radio is disposable like a Bic lighter because they can just get a new one if they drop/lose break it, instead of paying 100x more for a "real" radio. Just because you are not smart enough to figure out how to use yours does not make them "junk".

[@AyeJayTX]

Sadham detected

[@nobodybetter9175]

@@TheNotaRubicon . So I take it you are a Communist.

[@thomashamilton2240]

Your shirts, your dry humor, the subtle breaking of procedures. You are a legend

[@someolddude7076]

Thanks to this channel, it’s not only my first radio, it’s my first 6 radios. I like to be at least semi prepared and quantity has a quality all its own.

[@Qietman]

I bought and programmed at least 6 or so for my friends and family. Im using the 5RM and a couple of variants now for myself!

[@johngilles9371]

I just wish the manual wasn't in engerish! Uv25 is my first radio, and I feel if you can program a boofwang as your first radio, any other should be a walk-in the park!

[@chuckles3265]

It's my first radio, therefore, it's a great first radio. Lots of buttons, pretty lights and makes noises pleasing to my ear.

[@Blakhawk1703]

same

[@OGamputee]

Best thing about $30 handhelds, taping down the talk button and putting them in front of old Oprah episodes!! Helps Sad HAMS calm down worldwide. Like a big. Soft blanket of comfort

[@Threedog1963]

Wow. You owe me a new keyboard. I spit my coffee out on it when I read that comment laughing. Would have been more cringe worthy if you said to play old The View episodes.

[@yogidemis8513]

Thanks to Randy and his fantastic channel, Baofengs were the first radios I bought.

[@gregorybarra5376]

Wide transmit and receive, easy to program with the proper flow chart. Light, small, I love mine.

[@EMC_ADVENTURES]

If someone is budget constrained and wanting a first GMRS radio, I always suggest the Tidradio H3. So much easier to program, many features including Bluetooth programming and USB C programming with chirp, and it charges with USB C. And if it ever really hits the fan you can do the key combo unlock and set it to ham or normal open mode in a pinch.

[@bluescorduroys3523]

Just get a radio..

[@TheRealRenn]

I ordered two H3s and while they get great reviews, one was good and the other a total POS that would not TX/RX from my shop to my neighbor's shop 400 yards away. I sent them back, never again to trust the H3s any more that I trust a firearm that jams.

[@JimJimmington-e8i]

Excellent video and points. I especially love how you try to help us all save some of our precious, hard-earned monies while still being able to get satisfactorily amounts of fars in the process.

[@Krispin291]

Having those members only videos is awesome! We get exclusive info and more personal approach. Thanks Randy!

[@ohkwari6285]

New sub, new to radios beyond the good ol' blister pack variety. Super informative and the sarcastic humor is just hilarious. Happened upon your channel after purchasing a few Baofengs; 2 UV-5R GMRS, 2 UV-5G Pro, and 1 FP-F8HP Pro. These things are definitely the gateway drug to the radio world. I've much to learn. You've got a great channel, man. I pop in here to get my learn and laugh on. Stellar job, sir.

[@LordKaos666]

You got me... too many videos to see in your channel...no long intros = tons of videos to watch and learn...subscribed. Thank you.

[@levi5548]

This was the first radio I transmitted illegally on

[@NCOUTDOORS1960]

I will have to sadly say….a few years ago YESSS! Today….I am now an Ar5rm enthusiast! Thanks to Randy’s video on it. What a great radio.

[@cucvfarmer]

I have 2 Baofeng AR-5RM. Love it. Must drive sad hams nuts knowing it "Unlocked " when you buy it.

[@greyhairedmountainbiker116]

Does the"UV" have any better features or is the "AR" just all around better?

[@NCOUTDOORS1960]

@ after using the uv5r for a few years the ar5rm was night and day. I personally think it has better receive, the usb c charging is available on it, it is triband if you care about 220, also the green button does frequency search if you need to find the frequency of a bubble pack radio from walmart to talk back and forth on. You know, in an “emergency”.

[@jameswatkins7278]

Mine was delivered yesterday

[@greatgoogamooga1]

Another reason FOR getting a uv5r is that it is ubiquitous, and there is a ton of info out there for how to use it, assuming you have a ham licence.

[@960dogwood]

I got my baofeng about 10 years ago and then obtained my ham license. I have upgraded my radios to the more reliable Yaesu and Icom radios. I still have a shoebox full of UV5R radios that I pass out to my neighbors.

[@Kq4hcuDan]

I joined the uv5r club because i was gifted one for passing the technician exam and got my amateur radio license.

[@marknorwood7521]

Personally, I LOVE, "short and to the Point", because at 69 yrs old and handicapped I DO have a "short attention span". I bought 3 of the UV-5R, but I really need to get them out, programed and play with it.

[@W5KJD]

UV-5R was my first 4 radios, the price was the key reason. And I knew how to unlock them before they arrived in my mailbox. I gave two of them away to friends.

[@LastManStanding.45]

The Baofeng UV-5R was my 1st. & my 2nd. radio. The Radtel RT-470X & the TidradioTD-H3 followed close behind. The UV-5R is definitely a gateway drug. 😎

[@tracyt4327]

My boo-fwang uv-8hp works great from one end of my town to the other. And yes, I live on the edge!

[@MickGriddle]

Your videos on the UV-5R are why it was my first radio. It's a very feature rich and well-functioning radio for the price, and it can help you figure out what you personally want in a radio, both by what it has and doesn't have. Upsides: Access to HAM, MURS, NOAA, FRS, GMRS, and FM radio means that this and a CB radio would let you have access to the vast majority of publicly available radio communication bands. Easy to set up if you know what the menu options do. Built in flashlight and alarm. Small and easy to carry. Very customizable. Very cheap. Downsides: You basically need to buy some plastic bits off Etsy to keep from accidentally keying the radio or the battery from falling off because you grabbed it wrong. Needs an extended battery to be comfortable for people with bigger hands. Not rated the slightest bit waterproof. Likely not very durable. 2-pin mic connector rather than the much more secure Motorola style. Complicated to set up if you don't know what the options do.

[@kchaney56]

Still have my 5R's and I love them. I bought 3 of them and gave them to my grandchildren to pique their interest early in radio.

[@willacewallace5905]

This was my first radio. Out of fear of the proclaimed spurious transmissions from all the sad HAMs, I had our department's Motorola radio tech run tests and make the necessary modifications to get it in spec. Gave him a few more later on! This is a great first radio if you're not a simpleton. After watching your video of the UV-AR, I purchased that one, too. It's great!

[@AndrewAbraham83]

@@willacewallace5905 funny thing is I've done audio tests comparing several radios and not told them which was which. Without fail everyone says the UV5R has good audio as well. It must suck to be a sad ham. Always a list of things to whine about. Enjoy the hobby. It's a great place to be

[@ClearGalaxies]

What did he do to it, exactly?

[@bigjack428]

I like the cheap Cinnee junk radio because if you can manage to figure it out, you can figure out most older radios.

[@unknownquantity4440]

I'm so glad these radios come complete with the convenient vertical handle for holding the radio.

[@Don123-x8q]

Absolutely. I have the Baofeng UV-5R Tripower. For $39.00 ish I got the 2m and 70cm Bands FM Broadcast band. It's compatible with the Tid Radio Blue tooth programmer. Came with stock antenna and better antenna (name escapes me?) larger capacity battery, USB charging "with the cable". It came unlocked, I have GMRS, MURS, NOAA Weather. What more could you want for under $40.00?

[@OGamputee]

Same here

[@captaiawesome2260]

I think one of your earlier videos comparing the UV-5R to the Rocky Talkie did it best. Basically the UV-5R is great for starters if they want to put in the time to learn how to navigate the menus and program it to what they want to do with it. If the starter doesn't have the time and/or can't figure out how to search on KZbin for answers, a radio that only has an up and down key with GMRS channels 1 through 22 should be their first radio.

[@ronn1751]

Hands down my favorite channel.

[@RobSays]

First! I already knew you were going to talk about this radio, because I saw it as a member only! LOL

[@DM-qm5sc]

YOU CHEATED

[@BeeRAD56]

I subscribed to your channel sometime ago and have "liked" oh so many of your videos because they make my heart sore like an eagle. I am yet a fledgling of the air waves and most certainly not smart enough to ham it up, but I do hope someday to gmrs with your far reaching guidance.

[@kb6lcw99]

Always good to see what you share.

[@MotoBeemer]

Chatting with anonymous men…😂😂. Love the switch to the SM7b, it’s my go to mic. I run both to a Rodecaster Pro 2. Love your stuff man…new sub

[@TheRayners1]

If your thinking of using a UV5R for prepping just remember that whilst you may be able to use and programme a Uv5R if you give several of them out to other family members they may fight it difficult to operate and change channels.. you would be far better deploying several GMRS radios with dedicated channels with simple on/off buttons and 16 channels.. less to go wrong, no license required so all the family can practice with them and if you get a Retevis RT86 they are 10w and are twice as powerful as a Uv5R.. WHICH MEANS FOR FARS.. 👍😃

[@elfenmagix8173]

Yo Randy, glad to see you are looking better. This was a great video you put in explaining things. In short people are stupid - plain and simple. They are willing to do things just to keep up with the Jones. "Mr Jones has (what they think is) a Ham Radio, let me get one too!" Then proceed to but a Baofeng for under $30 , use it a couple times and then put it is a sock drawer never to be seen again, but when it comes to Bragging Rights will make up all sorts of PooFeng of how grea the radio is. I'll do both, a No and a Yes as to why the Baofeng is a great starter's radio. First the "NO." As you stated, and I wil get into details, people will buy it and think they can get in with the radio crowd and talk Ying Yang and BS about what they got and how much they spent on it, but are unable to set frequencies or channels, not know where the action is, and think they can talk to friends with so they tell their friends to buy them and they end up in the same trap. It requires a lot of research and be able to use a radio. Even a GMRS Radio requires some skills to use it. CB Maybe simpler than GMRS in operations but there are those who can not be able to handle that and even then they still want a Baofeng. Well, it is my opinion that some people do not deserve what they want - that includes: Cars, Guns, Radios, and Microwave Oven for the same DARN Reasons tht is it their fault we have instructions on shampoo bottles! They are the one who got their driver's licenses out of a Capt'n Crunch Cereal Box! And they will not even read that. Manuals? Who needs them! (tosses them into the trash.) For "Yes": If they are will to some of the basic research to study how a radio works, how to set up channels and frequencies, and read the manual to understand what the radio can and can not do, and if they put the work into it - then yes, they should be allowed to see what is it all about. The one thing I see very few speak about us using MURS on a Baofeng; which can be done if the radio is opened up to transmit in the 2meter band up to 174MHx, as MURS is in the 150MHz area. It is unfortunate that a locked Baofeng only goes to 148MHz, if they were to expand it to the MURS channels, it would be great. If they learned how to program the radio and gotten the software (CHIRP or Baofeng's software) and the programming cable, they can set up channels to share with their friends. They should be able to program the MURS Channels, and the GRMS Channels (if the radio is unlocked), and a few secret channels out there. And the program the police/fire/EMS frequencies to listen in and use it a a scanner. And lastly, hell, for under $30, (under $50 if you get them in pairs like the GRMS ones and some special orders are sold under) it is a great radio to start with and learn. But that it the point - not many people do not want to learn and think they are entitled that if if came out the box then it should work as they expect it to do so. Thank you for the great video!

[@DJEKLIPZ]

Thank u 4 all the helpful information.

[@TheRealRenn]

I have bought just about every radio NotaRubicon has reviewed, even the expensive ones. What I have found in real world testing with all of the members of our local GMRS club is that the Baofeng AR-5RM has the best range out of them all (base stations not included). The plus side of the AR-5RM is that I can program GMRS/Ham/MURS and other frequencies we use out here on our ranches. In a SHTF situation where no one cares anymore, the AR-5RM can be setup for dual monitoring with MURS and Ham, with both channels in Scramble mode. In that scenario one user transmits on the scrambled Ham, and the other on scrambles MURS. All this to keep the GMRS/FRS minions from hearing the convo. This is basic stuff, but essentially a way to have somewhat secure coms....in the right situation. BTW...the POS UV5r GMRS version cannot be jailbroke and apparently cannot be connected to Chirp...I've tried and failed multiple times. If you need a UV5r, get the Ham version and jailbreak it, then add the GMRS channels via Chirp. My $0.02 perspective base upon eveything I've learned listening to NotaRubicon for quite some time now.

[@GenOner]

Can vouch for the AR 5Rm best assault radio i had... But being serious i got 1 for the same price as uv5r and i feel this the better version and battery has usbc already im still discovering new features but already ho chirp to program frequencies with zero issues.

[@KA5IVR]

Randy, while having a REAL Rubicon ('06 TJ) and enjoying the offroad hobby as you do, I purchased a UV-5R a few years ago. Not because it was a 1st radio, but because if I dropped it on the rocks it wouldn't hurt as much as dropping one of my $$$'s Ham HT's. Plus, it would work to "listen" to my GMRS type friends on the trail. Since then, I have purchased a 4 more and still have less moneys tried up than in just 1 of my Japanese big name Ham HT's. Really no reasons for me why not to purchase one, since I am a Licensed Ham and not a paid GMRS user. And yes there are some big differences between the UV-5R and a real Ham HT, but as you say... "You get what you pay for".

[@erikferguson71]

I'd say get either a CB or a GMRS HT as a first radio, that way you can get a foot in the door and be able to use it right away. The bubble pack FRS radios are trash unless you are using them aroud the house and it's probably best not to mess around on a Ham radio until you at least figure out some things. If you just want to listen, scanners are fantastic and cover a wider range than the Ham HTs.

[@robbyarng]

Killroy was here.

[@1833-j4g]

I LOVE baofeng so much! I’ve got a BF-21 but I’m not sure how to program it lol.

[@aarongenske2887]

I bought mine for using as a spotter at the race track. My friend and I both bought them for the same use. Worked great all season! Could we have bought the proper equipment? Sure but we are ballers on a budget and took the chance on these.

[@gck86]

This Baofeng is my first budget radio that I bought.

[@dirigoelectric]

Bought 10. My daughters live a couple miles away and multiple friends are less than 5. I can reach them all with the Abbree antenna on them. Our own network if you will.

[@patrickohurleahe9767]

And So I Popped Some Popcorn, Cuddled My Bufwang And With Baited Breath Pushed The Button. Yes Another Great Video Telling Like It Is. Thank You.

[@currentfaves65]

Bought a Yaesu as my 1st HAM radio, find it cumbersome. Really like my TidRadio as my first GMSR.

[@Ryne918]

What if I just want NOAA alerts from something that looks cool and not like an answering machine?

[@bhoward9378]

AR152 fan checking in. Just ordered a President George FCCs for fars for my Fake Jeep. My next radio will be an MXT500 for closes, as you might phrase it.

[@mickmacy6161]

UV5R is best for me. I have been interested in family comms at our bungalow on land, for about 2 years.

[@Rusty-Williams]

I LOVE your screen background on the wall.

[@matthewmcmurtry83]

I went with the GMRS version becasue that is mainly what I was in need of and it's by far the cheapest GMRS radio with some power and extra bells and whistles at only $15 Amazon right now.

[@Don123-x8q]

@@matthewmcmurtry83 I'm not suggesting that you become a criminal but most of the Baofeng UV-5R's can still be unlocked and you can program in GMRS easily with the Tid Radio Bluetooth programmer. As a practical matter I don't worry about these things.

[@matthewmcmurtry83]

@@Don123-x8q I bought an unlocked AR-5RM for my personal use. I assume most all UV5Rs on Amazon are locked now a days. Bought the gmrs version for kids to use. Now all other kids in neighborhood are getting Walmart walkies now so got all the parents and kids around here talking on channel 22. It's pretty cool

[@thetravi1348]

I gave out boofwangs for Christmas last year. Like 35 of em.

[@DM-qm5sc]

I hope Radio is taught at the Texas Institute of Technology and Science

[@Blawa-ti4xp]

Bro i love your vids and your humor - i bet you really annoy most HAMS and I support screwing with those elitist nerds!!!!

[@timmyflew]

Was my first radio. Still use a Baofeng GT-3TP I bought 8 years ago. I have better HT's now but use the B-Fang more just to piss off the radio snobs.

[@michaelmcconnell7294]

What radio would be the best for impressing the chicks? I assume anything with a belt clip, but could you narrow the field a bit for me?

[@tlprescott1]

You might have missed, on the good side, if you want to broadcast almost as many fars on multiple harmonic frequencies simultaneously at the same time, without any additional increase in monies spent.

[@theprepperdad]

UV-5R was my first and only radio...it's unlocked. Looking for a dedicated GMRS radio.

[@gburchett1]

Sorry to ask you on this video, but I can’t find the one i was looking for. I think i saw on a past video, you talked about some of the things you have for your Jeep. One of the things was what you use to de-air your tires. What is the tire deflator you use? Thank you.

[@ironheadbill]

The UV5R was my first HT, ive ran over them with a bulldozer, a 30 ton haull truck and they still work, the the whip antenna is bent and looks whacky.

[@ragheadand420roll]

Love the baofeng m5r. Does better air band and is $18. ✌️ thx randy

[@snatr]

The only thing I didn't like when it comes to new users is that there's no menu option to not transmit on whatever frequency you have dialed in. It can be done through the chirp software, but then you're stuck with it that way without reprogramming as well.

[@BrysonTheTomato]

lol love the department of government efficiency shoutout

[@chuckles3265]

AKA, DOGE

[@ronwildman4783]

Nice office background decoration !!..🙂

[@chairwood]

ew Elon.

[@SkepTix-j9e]

Common folks for billionaires 😅

[@michaeleber4752]

When I went out to BTech (or whatever their name is) they list the UV-5R as discontinued.

[@patthesoundguy]

Yay! You did the antenna grab for me 😎 most H.A.M.S I know have at least one UV-5R. My first H.A.M. radio was a UV-5R 😁

[@ColoRadio6996]

Compared to the BF-F8HP PRO ?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

In my not-at-all humble opinion the F8HP-Pro is a better radio, but all of the exact same issues/reasons apply.

[@ColoRadio6996]

THX

[@thebigsquirrel1231]

Awesome vid.

[@ThePewski]

Its a great first radio. Easy to learn on.

[@47sovietwarrior]

Man I love your videos. Recently picked up a UV-5R to replace my 88e and Im facing a problem rn. I programmed both of them via Chirp on the same frequencies but on the 88 I can overhear the next channel when transmitting from the uv5r. Like for example the 88 set on channel 6 is recieving signal while i transmit on channel 7 from the uv5 but not vice versa and only if the uv5 is on the higher channel. This never occoured between only 88s or uv5rs

[@bobkennedy2025]

are you set to wide band?

[@BDD-]

My kids enjoy playing with the uv5r, they find sad hams entertaining.

[@Gumby1978]

This is a great little radio

[@TooCloseSeries]

My first radio. 🥰

[@josesnyder840]

"Ladies and Gentle Mans" From now on, 1st warning

[@WalterBarger-io9ck]

What would you recommend for my first ham radio with walkie-talkie me and my wife are disabled and looking for or first ham radio with walkie-talkie to communicate with each other

[@chuckrobinson5674]

I sense that I previewed this earlier today, The Force is strong with me today. (Special Emojis because I can!)

[@deltabravo1257]

Reason #1 to buy one: The antenna doubles as a very durable handle.

[@Threedog1963]

I wanted a cheap radio to talk to my wife as I park my RV. She got tired of shouting at the top of her lungs at the campgrounds. I just googled cheap 2 way radios and found the Boof-Whangs on Amazons for $40 for the pair. Was cheaper than shitty children's walkie talkies. I'm not wasting my time getting a Sad Ham license either. Don't like me stepping on your tows as I park my RV? I don't care, I'll be off channel in under 10 minutes; too short of a time for the Sad Hams to triangulate me. Even if they did, I doubt they'd approach a stranger who may, or may not be packing heat.

[@k6usy]

I recommend the UV-17R now, the UV-5R is an old model now.

[@charleswade2716]

Baofeng Gang: LOVE IT! i am.

[@Alchemist39]

Well said 👍

[@christinadelacruz8138]

I bought 1 from amazon and then won 2 of these UV 5 from a Jeep club 😂😂❤❤

[@elmergas2814]

could you please tell me whats the difference between UV-5R and UV-5RM, thanks

[@philh1826]

Why not for preppers?

[@THEBONESBRIGADE]

(STANDS UP)..... My name is BONES and im a BUFWANGAHOLIC. (sits down)

[@MGAC1701]

The Baofeng UV-5R, and the associated GMRS version, are the best bang for the buck in the amateur radio world. Bar none.

[@mess0965]

If there was a radio made in Canada 🇨🇦, would you buy it?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

NO.. but i would let the manufacturer send me one for free so i could make fun of it in a video.

[@thetribejamiemcgee8559]

hi from the u.k, have you made or are you planning a video on c.b. apps on the phone, ? i've recently been on midland app, and its full of user, and pretty cool

[@ropro1835]

'Boo-fang Gang'...too funny. Love these videos.

[@CRUSH911]

It was my first radio....as a Happy HAM

[@Frustratedfool]

If (On my 5RH PRO ) I hold the PTT and the button below it (sorry, I ate my user manual so I don’t know what it’s called) at the same time, then turn on the radio, I am greeted with the word Password. This only allows 6 digits, but after trying a few obvious guesses, I have had no success in working out what this does if I get it right. Turning the radio off and on as usual, and it’s back to the normal function. Does anyone know what this pass is, and what secrets it unlocks? Thanks fellow Sherlock’s.

[@mrejk35]

With Tidradio's wireless programmer I can set up a 6 pack in 6 minutes utilizing MURS and GMRS as well as a select few others. Giving sad hams stress cancer from my reprogramed rafios just talking about it.

[@ChrisMeade18]

Yes. I havent watched the video. I'm just answering the question in the title.

[@risingequinox3093]

Yes, cause the next ten radios you buy pair nicely

[@maniakc]

The boofwang is nice, but I think the qwongchang is a nicer, more versatile option.

[@jeremiahbullfrog9288]

Sure, but for how many moneys?

[@chris.eskimo]

Never heard of it.

[@robertburdoff1789]

@@jeremiahbullfrog9288 about the same. Can be hacked to receive down to a couple of Mhz, through to about 1.5?ghz.... but not as intuitive imho.

[@richardpsynaps9146]

Every time I buy a bufwang, it still feels like the first time.

[@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669]

I've got one. And have no idea how to use it. Can't find anyone that can explan how to use it.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Maybe you should start by watching this video: -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKHVgImgf8h0qKcsi=Rhu27wv2RAVqSD9c

[@InVinoVeritas.]

Yes, but get the 8w or 10w version.

[@robertburdoff1789]

"That's just your opinion man" Have to agree UV5R are excellent value & I think very intuitive.. .but for same money you can get a Quansheng UVK5 which is hackable to receive from a few mhz thro to somewhere over a gigllehurts. ....so, great for hobbyists & tinkerer's but defo not so intuitive as a UV5R.... just my 2 cents worth.

[@savagehunger3315]

I like to keep a couple dozen of them on hand for my preparedness group, broken up into sets. One set each for HAM, GMRS, and FRS capabilities. Price matters when you're buying that many. :) P.S. fuck a permission slip from uncle sam.

[@MrTaylorfenoglio]

Do you still recommend the uv5r over the tidradio brands?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

I recommend whichever radio best meets your wants, needs, and desires in a radio.

[@MrTaylorfenoglio]

@@TheNotaRubicon i have that already lol now i want more gadgets lol